Academic Support Assistant
Penn State University
Location
University Park, Illinois
Quick overview
The assistant will work one-on-one with assigned student-athletes to assess academic needs, create tailored support plans, and build essential academic skills like time management and critical thinking. Responsibilities also include monitoring student progress, assisting with study hall facilitation, and supporting the first-year seminar course.
Requirements summary
A Bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for this developmental, 11-month position designed for post-baccalaureate professionals seeking experience in Division I academic support. Candidates must possess strong communication and organizational skills and commit to working up to 25 hours per week, including evenings and weekends.
Job description
Application instructions
- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants. JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS The Morgan Academic Center (MAC) at Penn State University is seeking applications for one to two Academic Support Assistants (ASA). This 11‑month developmental position is designed for post‑baccalaureate professionals interested in gaining hands‑on experience in academic support for Division I student-athletes. The role supports MAC Academic Advisers and contributes directly to the academic success and personal development of student-athletes. This part‑time position (up to 25 hours/week) does not include graduate tuition, fees, or benefits.
- Minimum
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and professionalism skills Ability to work up to 25 hours per week, including daytime, evening, and weekend hours Commitment to maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and compliance with MAC, University, B1G, and NCAA policies.
- Primary
- Responsibilities: Attend weekly or bi-weekly staff and academic adviser meetings Work one-on-one with an assigned caseload of student-athletes by assessing academic needs and creating tailored academic support plans to improve academic self-efficacy. Build student skills in areas such as goal setting, time management, note‑taking, reading comprehension, writing, study strategies, self‑advocacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Monitor student progress and foster academic growth and development through weekly scheduled appointments with assigned students. Assist with planning, monitoring, and facilitating study hall, which may include some weekend and evening hours. Support staff with instructional aspects of the student-athlete first-year seminar course. Participate fully in Emerging Professionals programming which includes monthly meetings. Execute consistent and effective communication with your supervisor, other MAC full-time and part-time staff, and students. Maintain strict adherence to NCAA regulations, B1G regulations, university policies, and MAC procedures, while upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and professional conduct. Professional Development This role provides immersive experiences in advising, graduation planning, eligibility, assessment, and programming within a Division I academic support unit. Selected candidates will gain the knowledge and skills needed to be competitive for full-time roles in student-athlete academic support.
Application Process
To apply for this position, please submit your application materials online. The application process includes filling out a form, uploading your resumé and cover letter, and providing references. Expected start date: July 1, 2026. BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here. EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.